Demichelis is not the first professional football player to have been charged by the FA over betting offenses.

Rule E8 states: “A Participant shall not bet, either directly or indirectly, or instruct, permit, cause or enable any person to bet on – (i) the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of, or occurrence in, a football match or competition; or (ii) any other matter concerning or related to football anywhere in the world, including, for example and without limitation, the transfer of players, employment of managers, team selection or disciplinary matters.”

The misconduct charge is the latest blow for Demichelis, whose performances and that of his fellow teammates have dipped in recent weeks, with City falling out of contention in the Premier League title race after losing a number of crucial fixtures over the past couple of months.

Newcastle and England winger Andros Townsend was fined £18,000 ($26,000) and banned for four months in 2013 — a punishment which prevented him from playing at the European Under-21 Championship.

There is no suggestion that Demichelis was involved in match fixing nor that he bet on games in which he was involved.

Story highlightsMartin Demichelis charged over alleged bettingDefender accused of committing 12 breaches relating to matches in JanuaryArgentine international could face a fine or suspension35-year-old has until April 5 to appeal

Demichelis, 35, is accused of having broken worldwide rules which came into existence on August 1 2014 to prevent players from betting on any football activity whether inside or outside of their domestic league.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who announced he will leave the club at the end of the season last month, has presided over defeats to rivals Tottenham, Leicester and Manchester United with his team 15 points off the pace and now fighting to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

City did beat Liverpool to win the League Cup final and face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarterfinals next week.

Manchester City declined to comment when contacted by CNN. Demichelis was not immediately available for comment.

“It is alleged the player committed 12 breaches of FA Rule E8 concerning football matches between 22 January 2016 and 28 January 2016. He has until 5pm on 5 April 2016 to respond to the charge,” said an FA statement:

Dan Gosling, the Bournemouth midfielder, was fined £30,000 ($43,000) after breaching the rules in March 2014 while at former club Newcastle.